Page 719 - Neglected Arabia (1916-1920)

i NEGLECTED ARABIA 5

This hope has in measure been realized. At one time, when the Arabic
Christian congregation worshipped in Basrah, we had a short service on
Sunday for the Hospital, and one for those Moslems living near who
could be persuaded to attend. The closing of our Hospital, however, did
not allow us to continue, under favorable auspices, this experiment of
having a service especially for Moslems. I believe we have come to the
conclusion that in Basrah, our enquirers and converts, and Moslems
generally, will feel more at home, and get more good, from a service more
adapted to their own needs, than at that where the large majority of wor­
shipers are those born in the Christian faith. We always have, however,
in our general service, a certain proportion of Moslem hearers; the total
attendance, being under favorable circumstances fifty or sixty.
Our friends among the English residents were the more ready to rec­
ognize the need of a Protestant place of worship, as the alternative meet­ !
ing in a private house, either theirs or ours, was not always convenient,
or in the minds of some of them, suitable. The fact that our subscription ;
list was circulated among all, without regard to denominational ties, made !
it necessary to state that while the building would be under Mission con­
trol, yet it would be always available for any regular religious service i
whatsoever. Before the war it was used by the Church of England Chap­
lains from India, at the time of their semi-annual visits to the Gulf ports.
A year or two ago, when the presence of the troops at the Base necessi­
tated large audience rooms, we were asked if our Chapel could be used
by the military Chaplains, and if it was not found large enough, if we
J would consent to its enlargement. We agreed to this, but it was finally
decided to build a Garrison Church. In pre-war days an attendance of
from twenty to twenty-five was considered an excellent showing, while
on Easter and Christmas we could count upon a larger number. With i i
the coming of the troops we often had sixty and more. After the erection
of the Garrison Church, not far away, with its officiating chaplains, both 1
Church of England and Non-Conformist, this number was greatly re­
• H
duced. Our service has always been held in the late afternoon, but at : i
times during the summer have been discontinued, when at that hour the
building has been unendurable from the heat.
Besides the Arabic and English services, we have been glad to have
it used for services for the many Indian Christians now in Basrah, be­
longing both to the army and labor corps. This service has usually been
in Urdu. We have alsoloaned the building several times to the Y. M. C.
A. At one Christmas reception to Indian Christians they provided for
a thousand guests.
The fact that the Chapel has been used to such an extent by the Force
has enabled us to ask from the Military, for the installation of both
electric lights and fans, and to obtain from them a substantial reduction
in the charge for the current. Wc hope eventually to have a bell, and to
make some needed improvements in the interior arrangements. In the
meantime we have been assured that it has been a Church-home to others
besides our missionaries; and we know that some have there met and
become better acquainted with their God and Father.